What to wear to Chelsea Flower Show (workwear)

[Jemster]

I'm going to the Chelsea Flower Show with my work and not sure what to wear. I'm guessing there could be a fair bit of walking so probably flattish shoes but then what about the rest of the outfit? Want to look smart but not ott! Any suggestions welcome please as I've never been to anything like this.

It depends on whether you're going to actually be walking around the show or just hanging out in the corporate hospitality tent! If the former, then comfortable shoes are an absolute necessity...if the latter, then you might get away with heels, if you're only planning on popping out to wander round the big show gardens.

Has anyone else you're going with been before, so could advise you on what the form will be?

Whenever I've been, I've been 'on duty' in a hospitality tent, so I've been in a reasonably smart dress (Phase Eight kind of thing), but I always take flat shoes and end up changing into them half way through the day!

Bear in mind also, that you don't know what the weather will do - 2012 was stonkingly hot, but 2013 was freezing and pouring with rain and everyone was desperate for rain ponchos and umbrellas!

Thank you tkband3. I think it will be a bit of both, hospitality and a bit of walking. Thing is I struggle in heels as I have joint problems and after a lot of walking my calves & feet often feel worse. Thing is though I want to look smart too and I can't picture how to do it wearing flats. Could I wear trousers, nice top and jacket or should it really be a dress if going in hospitality area?

Which day are you going?

I think it's the Thursday.

I just don't get flat shoes aren't smart.
To me flat, low heels equal business like. Heels equal pub.

If I see a woman in a hospitality tent in heels, I just think "stupid girl, hasn't she ever done this sort of thing before? She'll regret those"

Honestly, I'm likely to decide you're hired to look decorative and look for someone sensibly dressed who obviously does shows a lot and probably knows about your companies products.

By Thursday, the dress code has relaxed enormously.

Comfy shoes are an absolute must.

Trousers, nice top and jacket will be absolutely fine.

Chelsea regular here. I'd say you could definitely wear trousers and nice top and jacket. Do wear sensible shoes if you want to wander - lots of uneven surfaces - also if it has been raining it can be soft underfoot. Most people who go are gardeners so not massively dressy though of course you can dress up as much as you want. I usually dress up (as that's my most comfortable state) but within reason - so flattish shoes, trousers (unless it's scorching) - then it is easy to sit down anywhere (not that much seating and it is quite tiring so often end up perched on a grassy bank) but I normally have a floral touch (even though I never usually go anywhere near florals). Planning to wear navy this year with a floral scarf. I always take a waterproof in case of rain and it also doubles as a groundsheet! Absolutely love Chelsea - my favourite day of the year - my mum and I always go. Have a lovely time.

I'm going as a guest of someone else's business, I won't be hosting on behalf of my company. I agree flats can look smart, as I said I generally wear them to work anyhow as I can't physically manage high heels. I just wanted some advice on what to wear with them to suit the event i.e suit, trousers & jacket, dress & jacket, dress & nice cardigan. I don't have many clothes and want to look nice as I don't often get invited anywhere. As it's my birthday this weekend and I will get some vouchers I thought I might treat myself to something summery as most of my workwear is black or grey. I am not good at putting outfits together and want to feel confident on the day.

Can offer no advice but am very jealous! Have a great day!

Trousers nice top and jacket fine. Don't waste your birthday money on workwear!

And have a great time. It gets very busy later on , so if you do want to see around the gardens I suggest you arrive a bit early. I'm always waiting at the gate at 8am !

I reckon something like these trousers, with a nice top and jacket would be spot on. And you can definitely wear this kind of thing with flats. If you want to buy from Boden I think I've got a discount code somewhere (and they deliver quickly!).

I've been every year for the last three, but won't be going this year unfortunately - I wasn't missing it, but now I am .

It was cold last year.

Thank you for all the ideas. I like those trousers tk - what type of shoes would look good and suitable with them?
I'm worried I won't look as smart as the people from the company who have invited us. They are in banking so tend to always look very smart and professional.
From what you all say it sounds like a lovely day out so I don't want to be self conscious in what I'm wearing.

I went a couple of years ago as a guest of the show's main sponsor. I suspect you are going with the same company.

A nice not-too-short smartish dress or trousers and top with smart pumps is absolutely fine. If it's cold then pop a blazer or cardigan on top. Equally, your office attire will be absolutely fine.

If the weather warms up, bear in mind that the hospitality tent is SWELTERING. In 2012 it was about 25 deg outside that day & the tent was unpleasant. I kept ducking to the bathroom to wipe off the sweat!

I think you notice the top half of peoples outfits more. So do you hair and make up and wear a statement necklace or pretty earrings . Add nice top / scarf/jacket and you will be fine.

I usually only notice womens shoes if they are weird or inappropriate. At Chelsea that means young girls with very short skirts and high heels tottering about in the mud /on stones .

I've not been in hospitality but I haven't noticed the M&G people wearing office type suits around the site and I think I would, they would stand out.

Even if you are in a hospitality tent, you might be shown into your sponsors garden or get to meet the designer. The designers probably won't be wearing a suit, more likely more casual trousers and jacket or dress and jacket .

Even if you are not into gardens, you should take 15 mins and read up on the BBC or RHS website about the sponsors garden. Then you can make intelligent comments /ask questions.

Here you are

www.rhs.org.uk/shows-events/rhs-chelsea-flower-show/exhibitors/gardens/The-M-G-Garden

If you're going as a guest of the main sponsor, then the men hosting will probably be either in suits or slightly more casual trousers with jackets/blazers and shirts, probably without ties (depending on the weather). The women will probably be in dresses/skirts and tops with a jacket, again depending on the weather.

As rubybleu says, if it's warm, the tent can get a bit stuffy - there is air con, but it doesn't reach the whole space (it's massive!). There is a balcony round the outside where you can get a bit of fresh air and see the show from a different angle. There is seating in the tent, so your feet can get a bit of a rest.

Also, there is a cloakroom, where you can leave coats, bags etc, so you could always wear some trainers for wandering round the show and then swap for smarter shoes when you're in the tent itself.

I think you could wear ballet pumps/loafers with those trousers, and a nice top/scarf/jacket combo would be perfect.

Btw if you are in the main sponsor's tent, you are very lucky! It's always beautifully designed, the food is fab and (most importantly!) there are nice loos . Have fun!